SUN 74 (Winter 2002-3)

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated Winter 2002-03 and identified as SUN #74, is edited by Philip J. Klass and published from Washington D.C. The newsletter critically examines various UFO-related claims, documents, and organizations, often debunking sensationalist accounts and promoting a skeptical viewpoint.

Bogus Documents Cited In Support Of New MJ-12 Papers

The lead article scrutinizes "new" MJ-12/UFO documents posted by Robert and Ryan Wood, allegedly leaked to Timothy Cooper. One document, purportedly authored by Dr. Edward Teller, is identified as a "Bogus-UFO-Version" of an authentic memo to President Reagan regarding the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). The bogus version repeatedly uses the term "UFO," which is absent in the authentic SDI Memo. Furthermore, the bogus memo mentions "cold fusion," a concept not "invented" until 1989, years after the alleged writing date of the SDI Memo. It also refers to "free energy," a concept popularized around 2001. The bogus memo also claims a UFO/ET craft was recovered in 1941 near Cape Girardeau, MO, and alters quotes from Dr. John S. Foster regarding military spending on space defense to "UFO research and development." Two other documents on onion-skin paper are attributed to "LCR," a CIA Office of Scientific Intelligence member, one titled "UFO Sovereignty Over Air Space: A Defense Intelligence Problem" and another, an executive briefing for the CIA Director, titled "Unidentified Flying Object (sic): Implication For National Security And Human Survival." Neither document is classified, contrary to the expectation for recovered UFO information. The existence of a CIA book by LCR titled "Central Intelligence, UFOs And National Security" is also questioned, as the CIA does not typically publish books.

British Documents Claimed To Confirm MJ-12 Authenticity

This section addresses claims by Ryan Wood and Nick Redfern that declassified British documents support the authenticity of the "Majestic 12 First Annual Report." The report details an incident at Maury Island, Washington, in June 1947, where Harold Dahl reported a UFO malfunction and debris. However, the newsletter points to an FBI report that reveals this incident was a hoax, with Dahl and Fred Crisman admitting they found fragments in a gravel pit. The article criticizes the MJ-12 report author for not consulting the FBI.

CUFOS Faces Severe Financial Crisis, According To Jerry Clark

Jerome Clark, a CUFOS Board member, states that the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) is in doubt due to declining subscribers to its publication, "International UFO Reporter" (IUR). CUFOS, founded in 1973, opted to cut IUR's publication schedule from bi-monthly to quarterly rather than raise its $25/year subscription rate, while increasing the page count from 24 to 32. This is contrasted with MUFON, which has raised its rates and maintained a monthly schedule for its "MUFON UFO Journal," which is noted for carrying more "newsworthy" articles compared to IUR's focus on historical incidents. Jerry Clark, a "UFO Believer," previously expressed the opinion that the Roswell Incident provided strong evidence of ET visitors and government coverup. His review of a book by James W. Moseley and Karl T. Pflock is described as highly critical and venomous.

Hendry's “The UFO Handbook” Could Have Aided UFO Research

The newsletter praises Allan Hendry's book "The UFO Handbook" for its contribution to scientific UFO investigation. Hendry, CUFOS's chief investigator, analyzed 1,307 UFO reports, finding that nearly 92% had prosaic explanations, which he termed "Identified Flying Objects" (IFOs). Of these, 78.2% were "nocturnal lights," with explanations including bright stars, advertising airplanes, aircraft, and meteors. Hendry noted that finding prosaic explanations for slightly over 8% of reports was difficult. He acknowledged the emotional atmosphere surrounding UFOs could support a hypothesis of perceived IFOs. Hendry, who later left UFOlogy, expressed a personal desire for anomalous UFOs to usher in a new scientific revolution but asserted that distinguishing between real UFOs and IFOs, fantasies, or hoaxes remains challenging.

Greer Offers $1,000,000 Prize For Novel (UFO) Energy Source

Dr. Stephen Greer, founder of Space Energy Access Systems (SEAS), is offering a $1 million prize for a testable prototype invention that can replace or increase the efficiency of current energy systems. The "Z-Prize" is named after the Zero-Point Energy Field. Greer claims that breakthroughs in energy generation have been suppressed and that his initiative aims to identify and promote advanced systems. Applications are due by December 1, 2002.

Sci-Fi Cable TV Mini-Series To Promote UFOs, Abductions, And Roswell

The Sci-Fi Channel is launching a 10-part mini-series titled "TAKEN," which is expected to promote UFOs as extraterrestrial craft, discuss the Roswell crash and government coverup, and explore alien abductions and hybrid breeding. The series is a Stephen Spielberg production. Sci-Fi.com will feature columns by UFOlogists like Budd Hopkins. A poll funded by the Sci-Fi Channel found that 72% of adults questioned whether the government was telling the truth about UFOs.

Sci-Fi Creates Group To Promote UFOs, Counter (Alleged) Coverup

The Sci-Fi Channel has established the Coalition for Freedom of Information (CFI), headed by Ed Rothschild, to promote "the search for the truth about UFOs." CFI aims to foster open research, urge Congressional support for scientific investigation, and encourage media coverage. CFI has filed a FOIA request for USAF information on the 1965 Kecksburg UFO crash. The newsletter notes that the Kecksburg incident was explained by USAF investigators as a meteor-fireball, a prosaic explanation not accepted by some UFO researchers who claim an acorn-shaped object was recovered. An amateur astronomer, Robert Young, investigated these claims and found doubts about their veracity.

Sci-Fi Channel Funds Search For Roswell Debris, Impact Evidence

The Sci-Fi Channel announced a two-hour program, "THE ROSWELL CRASH: STARTLING NEW EVIDENCE," featuring a 10-day excavation of the "debris field." The search, directed by the University of New Mexico, involved volunteer UFOlogists. The program reportedly includes new eyewitness interviews. The newsletter notes that a similar search a decade ago by Tom Carey and Don Schmitt was unsuccessful. Dr. Bill Doleman, who directed the excavation, stated that results were surprising but could not be disclosed before the show's broadcast.

The program "THE ROSWELL CRASH: STARTLING NEW EVIDENCE" is described as a "pseudo-documentary" that presented no "startling new evidence." Reviewers noted a lack of facts to support the legend and no evidence of alien craft. Most UFOlogists on the program maintained it was an ET craft crash and a government coverup. Karl Pflock, a Roswell skeptic, was unable to present authentic Top Secret/Secret documents to support his views. The program also featured Glenn Dennis discussing alleged involvement with ET autopsies and a "new witness," Moe Cox, claiming to have seen photos of dead and live ETs. Roswell researcher Carey reported eight ETs recovered.

Greer Says He Rejected Link With Sci-Fi Channel On UFOs

Dr. Stephen Greer rejected a proposal to merge his "Project Disclosure" efforts with Sci-Fi Channel's Coalition for Freedom of Information (CFI). The reason for rejection is their differing views on who conducts abductions: Sci-Fi claims ETs do it, while Greer asserts it's the military-industrial complex disguised as ETs. Greer claims insiders have described how "alien abductions" have been hoaxed. He also complained that Sci-Fi and Stephen Spielberg used "Disclosure Project" witnesses without his consent and that an invitation to participate in their programs has not been forthcoming.

Short Shrift:

This section provides brief updates on several topics:

• FOIA Requests Peaked Last Year: Total FOIA requests to U.S. government agencies reached 2,246,212, with a pending backlog of 177,969. The cost of responding was estimated at $275,792,041.
• Hopkins Finds Impressive New UFO-Abduction Incident: Jim Mortellaro reported a strange "UFO-abduction" experience involving "missing time" and unexplained internal injuries that healed miraculously. Budd Hopkins is forming a panel of doctors to investigate.
• NASA Cancels Contract With Oberg To Counter “Apollo Hoax” Claim: NASA contracted James Oberg to debunk claims that the Apollo program was a hoax but later terminated the contract for undisclosed reasons.
• Oberg Found Prosaic Explanation For USSR's Famous UFO Incident: James Oberg explained a 1967 Soviet UFO sighting, described as having rocket-like plumes, as the booster flame from a secret Soviet satellite launch facility near Plesetsk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination and debunking of UFO claims and alleged evidence by the "Skeptics UFO Newsletter." The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, challenging the authenticity of documents, the veracity of witnesses, and the methodologies of UFOlogists. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of prosaic explanations and scientific investigation, often highlighting hoaxes and misinterpretations within the UFO community. It contrasts its approach with the sensationalism often found in media portrayals of UFO phenomena and criticizes organizations and individuals who promote unsubstantiated claims.